Rainwater Irrigation Apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is a water collection apparatus for attachment to a water downpipe ( 1 ) from which a section has been deleted to form an upper discharge end ( 3 ) spaced above a lower inlet end ( 4 ). The apparatus includes a water receptacle ( 5 ) with an inflow passage ( 6 ) for positioning below the upper discharge end and an overflow passage ( 7 ) for connection to the lower inlet end. The inflow and overflow passages ( 6 ), ( 7 ) are arranged so that in a position of use the receptacle ( 5 ) is offset from the downpipe ( 1 ). There is at least one connection fitting ( 14 ), ( 15 ) for an outlet conduit from the receptacle. The inflow passage has a debris segregation screen  9  for separating out debris from incoming water flow.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to water saving apparatus. More particularly, although not exclusively it discloses a novel and improved device for the collection and utilisation of rainwater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Periodic drought conditions and increasing urban populations are putting increased stress on mains water supplies. Accordingly it is becoming common for water usage restrictions to be applied for at least nine months of the year. These restrict or in severe conditions totally prohibit the use of fixed watering systems in the garden. While some councils allow the installation of roof fed rainwater tanks to augment mains water for washing and irrigation such tanks are unsightly, expensive to install and take up valuable space in small urban yards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a water collection apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a water downpipe from which a section thereof has been deleted to form an upper discharge end spaced above a lower inlet end, the apparatus including a water receptacle with an inflow passage for positioning below said upper discharge end and an overflow passsage for connection to said lower inlet end, said inflow and overflow passages being arranged so that in a position of use said receptacle is offset from the downpipe, at least one connection fitting for an outlet conduit from said receptacle and said inflow passage having a debris segregation means for separating out debris from incoming water.

Preferably said segregation means is a screen which is angled to deflect the debris away from the incoming water flow.

It is further preferred that said inflow passage is enlarged into the shape of a hopper and the screen fits over the hopper opening.

It is further preferred that the overflow passage is adapted for slidable connection to said downpipe.

It is further preferred that the water receptacle is elongated and in a position of use is aligned substantially parallel to said downpipe.

It is further preferred that the apparatus is removable from said downpipe without the aid of tools for cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water collection apparatus according to said invention when fitted to a roof gutter downpipe, and

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the preferred arrangement for the outlet fittings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1 the downpipe 1 may be of conventional rectangular design and extends from a building roof gutter 2 down to a stormwater drain (not shown). A central section of the downpipe has been removed to form a discharge end 3 spaced directly above a lower inlet end 4. The water collection apparatus is adapted for installation in place of the deleted section. It is assembled using specifically manufactured injection moulded ultraviolet protected PVC components with an outlet designed to fit stormwater fittings and may comprise an elongated receptacle 5 with inflow and overflow passages 6, 7. These are fitted with an enlarged water collection hopper 6A and outlet 7A to fit respectively under the discharge end 3 and into the lower inlet end 4 of the downpipe 1. Preferably the vertical dimensions of the apparatus are chosen so that it can be installed by sliding the outlet 7A of the overflow passage down into the inlet end 4 and then aligning the hopper 6A directly under the discharge 3. Preferably the apparatus is then secured in position by self tapping screws fitted through apertures 8 in the water collection hopper top flange 8A.

By virtue of the offset placement of the receptacle 5 it extends downwardly below the level of the overflow passage 7 and preferably parallel to the lower portion of the downpipe. The apparatus can thus be constructed with increased water capacity without taking up additional lateral space by simply extending the depth of the receptacle.

In accordance with the invention the water collection hopper 6A is fitted with a screen 9 in order to prevent the entry of leaves or other gross particles of debris into the receptacle. The screen can be of any suitable material or mesh size and with this embodiment has holes of about 5 mm square. It is also preferred that the screen in angled downwardly at about 45 degrees away from the building so that the separated out debris falls away. The screen may also be removable for cleaning.

There are also snap-on hose fittings 11-15 installed at or adjacent to the bottom of the receptacle 5. For domestic installations these would mostly be conventional 12 mm fittings. Preferably however the bottom fittings 13 would be 18 mm in order to irrigate large areas along with topping off swimming pools or soaking pits.

With industrial installations servicing large factory roofs for example it is preferred that all the hose fittings be 18 mm so as to handle the increased rainwater flow.

In use of the apparatus a volume of water up to the capacity of the receptacle 5 would be drawn off and collected from the downpipe flow during rainfall. Once the receptacle is full any excess rainwater would continue out through the overflow passage 7 and down into the stormwater drain 1. The collected water however would then be available via gravity flow to irrigate the garden through hoses, drip nozzles or the like connected to the fittings 11-15. Although it is not essential to the invention it is therefore preferred that the apparatus be fitted as high as possible on the downpipe to maximise the gravity flow pressure. It is envisaged that the apparatus would be particularly useful during drought periods when light and otherwise insignificant rainfall could be automatically and continuously collected in the receptacle from large roof catchment areas and then diverted to the garden. It has been statistically recorded that an average residential roof size of 200 M can produce over 226,120 litres of rainwater per average year that can be used with minimal loss to stormwater or drainage syatems. During times of abundant rainfall the downpipe water, after filling the receptacle 5 and maintaining a continuous flow through the hose and irrigation outlets, would continue through to waste in the normal manner.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed provides a novel, improved and low cost alternative to conventional rainwater tanks. It enables significant amounts of precipitation or rainfall to be automatically and continuously collected for such uses as swimming pool top off, building water table levels and maintaining a garden during drought conditions without the large expenditure and space required for conventional rainwater tanks. Clearly however the example disclosed is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape, configuration and capacity of the receptacle may be changed according to installation requirements. Also, while the current embodiments may be constructed from galvanised steel, aluminium or plastic the invention extends to the use of any other suitable material such as fibreglass or rubber.

On buildings currently equipped with conventional rainwater tanks which draw from about one-third of the available roof area it is envisaged that an apparatus according to this invention could still be installed to collect and distribute rainwater from the remaining two-thirds of the roof area. The result would be a minimum or nil quantity of water being diverted to stormwater systems. 

1. A water collection apparatus for attachment to a water downpipe from which a section thereof has been deleted to form an upper discharge end spaced above a lower inlet ends the apparatus including a water receptacle with an inflow passage for positioning below said upper discharge end and an overflow passage for connection to said lower inlet end, said inflow and overflow passages being arranged so that in a position of use said receptacle is offset from the downpipe, at least one connection fitting for an outlet conduit from said receptacle and said inflow passage having a debris segregation means for separating out debris from incoming water flow.
 2. The water collection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said debris segegation means is a screen.
 3. The water collection apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the screen is angled to deflect said debris away from the incoming water flow.
 4. The water collection apparatus wherein said screen is removable for cleaning.
 5. The water collection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inflow passage is in the shape of a hopper with an opening thereof fitted with said screen. 